Four other workers escape unharmed after multiple blasts

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OAKLAND, Tenn. — One person was killed after an explosion and fire hit a munitions factory in western Tennessee on Wednesday.

The identity of the victim was not immediately released.

Oakland Police Chief Rick Jewell told WMC TV of Memphis that a firefighter was injured and taken to a hospital. Company officials said there were five workers in the factory at the time of the blast and four escaped unharmed, Ed Gaugh, emergency management director for Fayette County, told NBC News.

Gaugh said that the fire was brought under control after about 90 minutes. Dean Flener, spokesman for the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, said at least five fire crews were on the scene.

Witnesses reported hearing a series of explosions at the plant outside the town of Oakland, about 30 miles northeast of Memphis.

A large plume of smoke billowed from the plant afterward.

The factory has gunpowder, bullets and primer used to manufacture munitions. The plant is owned by Kinematics Research. According to its website, it manufactures pistol and rifle ammunition in a variety of calibers.